By: Carissa Lovvorn
A name is a title given to a person to reveal their identity and separate them from other individuals. But does a name, given at birth, determine the personality of a child? My name Carissa Renee means “Grace/ Beloved” and “Born Again.” While it is interesting that during my younger years I strayed, required grace and Jesus to be born again, I believe it is purely coincidental more than a predestination. But what about God?
Over the past several weeks, I spent time researching His various names. Our Heavenly Father’s traits are so numerous that not one name can describe Him entirely. His names are not just a title. They reflect His awesome character and abilities.
For example, Elohim is the Hebrew word for God and the first name revealed to us in Scripture. In Genesis, we see Him as the strong creator who spoke life into the heavens and the Earth. Jeremiah 23 tells us that He is a God who sees and is always ever present.
In the Book of Genesis, God identified Himself as El Shaddai which translates into Almighty God. He later introduced Himself as Yahweh (YHWH) when He spoke to Moses through the burning bush. Moses asked God what name he shall give the Israelites when they ask. “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14 NKJV)
The English translation of Jehovah Rapha is the God who heals. In the book of Exodus, God refers to Himself by this name. Following the parting of the Red Sea, Moses led the Israelites into the Desert of Shur. They traveled for three days without water, but eventually came to a place whose water was unfit to drink. Moses cried out to the Lord. The Lord instructed him to throw a piece of wood into the water which then made it safe for the Israelites to drink. The Lord issued an instruction and reveled to them this name, “He said, ‘If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.’”(Exodus 15:26 NKJV)
As I have mentioned in past articles, my Biblical knowledge is still in its infancy. However, when I contemplated the many names of God, it was humbling. God is not just a figure in the sky that oversees the world. He is almighty, He creates, He sees, He heals, and He provides. I encourage everyone to learn more about the names of God and start using them during their daily prayers. I found that by calling on one of God’s specific character traits, it created a stronger intimacy with our Heavenly Father. Something that all our hearts need.
Many Blessings,
Carissa Lovvorn
July 19, 2024
